Antique Sage Green Painted Folk Art Whirligig of Carved Wooden Soldier

Circa 1880-1910: The incredible detail on this petite New England folk art soldier whirligig in unusual original sage green and black paint points to the masterful skill level of its anonymous carver. Notice, for instance, that the carver has hand cut six tiny tin washers and applied them with hand cut brads to serve as buttons on the soldier's coat. Note, too, the hand applied tin belt buckle and hat decoration, the carved hat rim, jacket skirt, shoes, and platform and even the carved detail in our little soldier's smiling face! In addition, the whirligig's delicate pegged blades are paper thin and, though slightly damaged from use, point to their carver's superb abilities. It is a miracle that a small museum quality whirligig (its body a mere 7 3/8" long and 19" from blade end to blade end) this fragile has even survived. This is one of two whirligigs made by the same anonymous carver that we are offering on the open market, and this handsome sage green whirligig comes with the pictured modern museum stand.

One of two whirligigs made by the same anonymous carver. See other red soldier whirligig »